3,3-disubstituted indolines

ABSTRACT

Cognitive deficiencies and/or neurological function deficits and/or mood and/or mental disturbances are treated by the administration of 3,3-disubstituted indolines. The indolines have the formula: ##STR1## wherein: p is 0 or 1; 
     Z is O or S; 
     R is C 1  -C 10  alkyl, C 3  -C 8  cycloalkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl or ##STR2## V, W, X, and Y independently are H, halo, C 1  -C 3  alkyl, OR 1 , NO 2 , CF 3 , CN or NR 2  R 2  ; 
     R 1  and R 2  independently are H or C 1  -C 3  alkyl; 
     -- ○H  and -- ○H&#39;  independently are 6-membered heterocyclic aromatic rings containing at least one nitrogen atom as a part of the ring optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the group C 1  -C 3  alkyl, halo, OR 1  or NR 1  R 2  ; or 
     an N-oxide or pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Ser. No.850,015, filed Apr. 10, 1986, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to indolines and more particularly to3,3-heterocyclic-disubstituted indolines, pharmaceutical compositionscontaining them, processes for preparing them and methods of using themin mammals to treat cognitive deficiencies and/or neurological functiondeficits and/or mood disturbances such as found, for example, indegenerative nervous system diseases.

2. Background Including Prior Art

There is a steadily growing need for effective treatment for NervousSystem Disorders causing cognitive and neurological deficiencies. Manyof these diseases, of which the incidence generally rises withincreasing age, are due to degenerative changes in the nervous system.Although in early stages of some diseases certain systems are ratherspecifically affected (e.g. cholinergic systems in Alzheimer's Disease,and Myasthenia Gravis, the dopaminergic system in Parkinson's Disease,etc.), multiple neurotransmitter system deficiencies (acetylcholine,dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) are generally found at later stagesof these diseases and are thought to exist at all stages of diseasessuch as senile dementia, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington's disease,mental retardation, etc. This may explain the generally observedmultiple symptomatology which includes cognitive, neurological andaffective/psychotic components (see Gottfries, Psychopharmacol. 86, 245,1985). Deficits in the synthesis and release of acetylcholine in thebrain are generally thought to be related to cognitive impairment (seeFrancis et al., New England J. Med., 313, 7, 1985) whereas neurologicaldeficits (e.g., Parkinson Symptoms) and mood/mental changes may berelated to impairment of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems,respectively. Other neurological deficits (e.g., Myasthenia Gravis) arerelated to cholinergic deficiencies in the peripheral nervous system.

Treatment strategies employed hitherto encompass vasoactive drugs likevincamine and pentoxifylline; "metabolic enhancers" like ergoloidmesylates, piracetam and naftidrofuryl; neurotransmitter precursors like1-DOPA, choline and 5-hydroxytryptamine; transmitter metabolizing enzymeinhibitors like physostigmine; and neuropeptides likeadrenocorticotropic hormone and vasopressin-related peptides. Except for1-DOPA treatment in Parkinson's disease and cholinesterase inhibitortreatment in Myasthenia Gravis, these treatment strategies havegenerally failed to produce clinically significant improvements(Hollister, Drugs, 29, 483, 1985). Another strategy to treat thesemultiple symptoms is to enhance the residual function of the affectedsystems by enhancing the stimulus-induced release of neurotransmitters.Theoretically, such an enhancement would improve the signal-to-noiseratio during chemical transmission of information, thereby reducingdeficits in processes related to cognition, neurological function andmood regulation.

To date, there are not many patent or literature references whichdescribe 3,3-heterocyclic disubstituted indolines. Most pertinent, areJapanese Patent No. 55-129284, issued Oct. 6, 1980 and M. Ogata et al.,Eur. J. Med. Chem-Chim. Ther., 16(4), 373-378 (1981), which describeantifungal compounds having the formula: ##STR3## wherein R is H,halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy;

R¹ is H, alkyl, aryl or acyl; and

R² is thienyl, or imidazole, amongst non-heterocyclic groups.

R. W. Daisley, et al., J. Heterocyclic Chem., 19, 1913-1016, (1982),report 1-methyl-3,3-dipiperidinoindol-2-(3H)-one as product from thereaction of the corresponding (Z) or (E)2-arylmethylidene-indol-3(2H)-one with ethyl cyanoacetate in thepresence of excess piperidine. No utility for the compound is described.

Japanese Patent No. 59-98896 describes high sensitivity, high stabilityrecording medium containing a 3,3-disubstituted-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindolederivative of the formula shown below as a near infrared absorber.##STR4## wherein R₁, R₂, same or different, are a saturated heterocyclicring including morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, amongst others containing atleast one nitrogen atom; and

R₃ is H or alkyl.

3,3-bis(morpholino)oxoindole is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,273,860, to A. Adin, June 16, 1981 and in A. Adin, et al., ResearchDisclosures, 184, 446-454 (1979), as a destabilizer material in aphotoinhibitor composition utilizing cobalt (111) complexes.

The above references, other than J55-129284, and M. Ogata et al., Eur.J. Med. Chem-Chim. Ther., 16(4), 373-378 (1981) all describe3,3-disubstituted indolones wherein the heterocyclic groups are bothsaturated rings. In all of the above references, the heterocyclic ringis attached to the indoline by a ring nitrogen. Furthermore in thereferences other than J55-129284, there is no suggestion ofpharmaceutical utility for these 3,3-disubstituted indolines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that compounds of Formula (I) enhance thestimulus-induced release of neurotransmitters, specificallyacetylcholine and, in addition, dopamine and serotonin in nervous tissueand improve processes involved in learning and memorization of an activeavoidance task.

More particularly, according to the present invention there is provideda pharmaceutical composition comprising a suitable pharmaceuticalcarrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having theformula: ##STR5## wherein: p is 0 or 1;

Z is O or S;

R is C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridylor ##STR6## V, W, X, and Y independently are H, halo, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, OR¹,NO₂, CF₃, CN or NR¹ R² ;

R¹ and R² independently are H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;

-- ○H and -- ○H' independently are 6-membered heterocyclic ringscontaining at least one nitrogen atom as a part of the ring optionallysubstituted with one substituent selected from the group C₁ -C₃ alkyl,halo, OR¹ or NR¹ R² ; or

an N-oxide or pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.

Also provided is a method for the treatment of a cognitive deficiencyand/or neurological function deficit and/or mood/mental disturbance suchas found for instance in degenerative nervous system disease in amammal, said method comprising administering to the mammal atherapeutically effective amount of at least one of the above-describedcompounds of Formula (I).

Additionally provided is a novel class of compounds of Formula (I)active in treating cognitive and/or neurological deficiencies and/ormood/mental disturbances such as found, for instance in degenerativenervous system disease.

Further provided is a process for preparing a compound of Formula (I)comprising

(a) contacting an oxindole of the formula ##STR7## wherein p, X, Y, andR are as defined above, with a base; (b) contacting the product of step(a) with a compound of the formula D--CH₂ -- ○H wherein -- ○H is asdefined above and D is a halide, methanesulfonate, orp-toluenesulfonate;

(c) contacting the product of step (b) with a compound of the formulaD--CH₂ -- ○H' wherein -- ○H' is defined above and D is a halide,methanesulfonate, or p-toluenesulfonate; and

(d) optionally contacting the product of step (c) with Lawesson'sreagent or with P₄ S₁₀ to prepare the thiooxindole.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred compounds are those of formula (I) where:

p is 0; or

Z is O; or

X and Y are H; or

R is CH₃, phenyl or m-chlorophenyl; or

--○H and -- ○H' are each pyridyl attached by a ring carbon atom.

Specifically preferred for their ability to enhance stimulus-inducedacetylcholine release are:

3,3-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one;

3,3-Bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one;

3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one;

3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-methylindolin-2-one;

3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)indolin-2-one;

and pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salts thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Synthesis

Most of the oxindole compounds of this invention are prepared by thesynthetic sequence represented by Scheme 1. ##STR8## X, Y, p, R, -- ○H ,and -- ○H' are as defined above, D represents a displaceable group suchas halogen (I, Br, Cl, or F) or methanesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonate.These reactions result from formation of an anion at the 3-position ofthe oxindole of Formula (II) by reaction of the oxindole with a suitablebase followed by displacement of D by the anion and formation of the3-mono-substituted compound (III). This mono-substituted product (III)can then either be isolated prior to the next step or, preferably,especially when -- ○H and -- ○H' are the same, treated again withanother equivalent of base without prior isolation, to give the3,3-disubstituted oxindole (IV).

Suitable bases for forming the anion include sodamide, lithiumdiisopropylamine, sodium hydride, potassium tert-butoxide, sodiumalkoxide, potassium alkoxide, lithium alkoxide, potassium hydride,lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide, butyl lithium, sec-butyl lithium,tert-butyl lithium, and lithium, sodium or potassiumhexamethyldisilazide. The reaction is run in an aprotic solvent,generally in an ether such as diethylether, glyme, tetrahydrofuran ordioxane. However, if the oxindole is soluble in a nonpolar solvent, thereaction may be run in a hydrocarbon such as hexane, heptane,cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene or toluene.

In running the reaction, the oxindole is dissolved in an appropriatesolvent, and, depending upon the strength of the base, the solution iscooled to a temperature between -40° C. and room temperature. When amore reactive base such as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) is used, thesolution is cooled to a temperature of -30° C. and a solution of the LDAin an appropriate solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, is added dropwiseover a period of 15 minutes to one hour, while maintaining thetemperature at approximately -30° C.

If one chooses to use sodamide instead of LDA, benzene is the preferredsolvent. The sodamide is added to a solution of the indolinone inbenzene at room temperature. In order to drive the reaction tocompletion, the solution is refluxed until ammonia can no longer bedetected evolving from the reaction.

A solution of the electrophile D--CH₂ -- ○H is then added to theindolinone anion. Again, if a very reactive base such as LDA is used togenerate the anion, the reaction is cooled to -30° C. and theelectrophile is added dropwise. If a less active base is used togenerate the anion, the electrophile is added at a temperature between0° C. and room temperature and then the reaction mixture is refluxed.

The bisubstituted product (IV) can be prepared by generation of a secondanion at the three position of the indolinone. The anion formationfollowed by alkylation can be done in the same manner as described abovefor the preparation of a mono-substituted compound of Formula (III).

Instead of running the reaction sequentially, one may at times, add twoequivalents of base to the indolinone, followed by two to threeequivalents of the alkylating agent. In some cases, especially thosewhere -- ○H is the same as -- ○H' , it may be convenient to accomplishalkylation of the oxindole under phase transfer conditions, e.g., usinga base such as sodium hydroxide dissolved in water, a wate immisciblesolvent such as benzene or toluene, a phase transfer catalyst such asbenzyltriethylammonium chloride and two molar equivalents of thealkylating agent D--CH₂ -- ○H . Under such conditions, vigorous stirringand elevated reaction temperatures, e.g., 60°-80° C., may facilitateconversion to the 3,3-dialkylated oxindole.

When the reaction is complete as evidenced by thin layer chromatography,excess anion is decomposed with saturated ammonium chloride solution,and the reaction is taken through an acid-base cycle to remove neutralstarting materials. Purification of the basic product generally involvesconventional purification techniques such as flash chromatographyfollowed by recrystallization if necessary. The pure base (one spot onthin layer chromatography and analytical HPLC) is converted to thedihydrochloride by adding a slight excess of 25% hydrochloric acid in asolvent such as ethanol. Generally, adding an equal volume of acetone tothe boiling solution affords a crop of pure colorless crystals uponcooling. Other methods that will be obvious to one skilled in the artcan be used to obtain a crystalline product. The hydrochloride salt canbe recrystallized from isopropanol, 1-propanol, ethanol, 95% ethanol,methanol, or mixtures of an alcohol with acetone, ethyl acetate,isopropyl acetate, or acetonitrile.

The hydrochloride salt can be converted to the corresponding free baseby treatment with an inorganic base, e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, sodium phosphate, ammonium hydroxide, or potassium carbonate,and then can be taken up in an organic solvent such as methylenechloride, ether, or ethyl acetate, and reprecipitated as a salt withsome other pharmacologically acceptable acid such as maleic acid,methanesulfonic acid, napthalene-2-sulfonic acid, tartaric acid,hydrogen bromide, etc.

Alternatively, thallium (I) ethoxide can be used as the base asillustrated by Scheme 2. The indolinone is dissolved in a suitablesolvent, preferably warm benzene, and an equimolar quantity of thallium(I) ethoxide is added rapidly to it. The organothallium compound (V)which precipitates out as a poisonous, yellowish, crystalline stablesolid, is filtered affording the thallium compound in yields of 85-95%.Care must be exercised in handling thallium compounds because of theirtoxicity. ##STR9##

Organothallium compounds generally react with electrophiles to form themonoalkylated products. However, with very reactive electrophiles suchas picolyl chlorides, benzyl bromide or the like, the 3,3-bis-alkylatedproducts are obtained, as shown in Scheme 2, and as is exemplified byExample 1.

The thallium indoline (V) is heated with an electrophile such as picolylchloride in an inert solvent, such as benzene or toluene, at 30° C. tothe boiling point of the solvent, for several hours to 24 hours.Preferred is a temperature of 80° C. for 24 hours. When the reaction iscomplete as indicated by thin layer chromatography and the precipitatedthallium chloride is filtered off, the remaining organic solution istaken through an acid-base cycle and purification, and optional saltformation is carried out as described above.

Preparation of the starting oxindole (II) represented in Scheme I andScheme 2 can be carried out by one or more of a large number of generalsynthetic methods described in the chemical literature. For instance thereaction of an N-substituted aniline (VI) with chloroacetyl chloride toform an amide (VII) is a well known reaction. This is illustrated inScheme 3. ##STR10##

Requisite diarylamine syntheses (VI; where p=0, R=substituted phenyl)are widely known in the chemical literature. Many involve conversion ofN-arylphenylenediamine by diazotization and for example Sandmeyerreaction with the appropriate substituted diarylamine. Again, oneskilled in the art of organic synthesis can select a suitable synthesisfor preparation of the appropriate diarylamine required to extend theExamples to the related compound of this invention. Recent usefulsyntheses include those described by Katritzsky et al., J. Chem. Soc.,Perkin. Trans. I, 2611 (1983), Gorwin et al., Chem. Commun., 4, 238(1985), and Malz et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,841A (1984).

Other N-substituted anilines (VI; where p=1) can be made by conventionalsynthetic methods commonly used in organic chemistry, e.g., by reactionof a suitable carboxylic acid chloride with an aniline to afford anamide which is then reduced by lithium aluminum hydride or diborane intetrahydrofuran at about 67° C. to afford the N-substituted aniline(VI), as depicted in Scheme 4 below. ##STR11##

The starting oxindole (II) can then be prepared by Friedel-Crafts ringclosure of an amide of Formula (VII) in the presence of a Lewis acidsuch as aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). Other Lewis acids such as tintetrachloride (SnCl₄) or boron trifluoride (BF₃) can be used dependingon the chemical structure of the amide (VII). Choice of solvent if anyis dependent on the actual compound of Formula (VII) to be cyclized andon the Lewis acid used. Nitrobenzene, tetrachloroethane, ethylenedichloride and methylene chloride are often used as solvents. Generally,the use of AlCl₃ without a solvent is preferred.

If substituents X and Y are electron withdrawing and deactivate thearomatic ring to which they are attached towards electrophilicsubstitution and if V and W are electron donating or activate the ring(where R is substituted phenyl) other methods may be more convenient forsynthesis of oxindoles (II). These methods will be known to one skilledin the art of organic synthesis who is familiar with the literature ofoxindole synthesis.

For example, in addition to the Friedel-Crafts cycloalkylationillustrated by Scheme 2, X and Y substituted oxindoles can be made bythe general "azasulfonium ion" rearrangement methods of Gassman [U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,897,451 (1975), 3,996,264 (1976), and 3,972,894 (1976); seealso J. Am. Chem. Soc., 96, 5512 (1974) etc.] or in some instances fromo-nitrophenyl acetic acid [see Walker, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 77, 3544(1955) and Hardigger et al., Helv. Chim. Acta., 39, 514 (1956)].

Other more direct synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted 2-oxindoles can becarried out by use of the Brunner reaction of N-arylhydrazides [Org.Synthesis, 37, 60 (1957); Rohrscheidt et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem., 680(1978)] and by processes involving direct oxidation of substitutedindoles [Lawson et al., J. Org. Chem., 26, 263 (1961); R. L. Hinman etal., ibid, 29, 1206 (1964); Lawson et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 82, 5918(1960); Szabo-Pusztag et al., Synthesis, 276 (1979)]. Other methods formaking oxindoles are described by A. P. Kozikowsi, et al., J. Am. Chem.Soc., 43 (10), 2083 (1978); T. Nakashima, et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 17(11), 2293 (1969); Y. Tamura, et al., Synthesis, 534 (1981); J. F.Bunnett, J. Org. Chem., 28 (1), 1 (1963); R. R. Goehring, J. Am. Chem.Soc., 107 (z), 435 (1985); T. Hamada, et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 29(1), 128 (1981); D. Ben-Ishai, et al., Tet. Lett., 21 (6), 569-72(1980); J. F. Wolfe, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 102 (10), 3646 (1980); J. G.Atkinson, Tet. Lett., (31), 3857 (1979); M. Mori, et al., Tet. Lett.,(21) 1807 (1976); P. Parimoo, Indian J. Chem., 10 (17), 764 (1972); D.Klamann, et al., Chem Ber., 100 (6), 1870 (1967).

This bibliographic list is intended to be illustrative of the greatvariety of methods available to make the 2-oxindole intermediates usefulin this invention.

The 2-thiooxindoles (VIII) of this invention can be made by reaction ofthe oxindoles with Lawesson's reagent or with phosphorus pentasulfide(P₄ S₁₀) as is illustrated in Scheme 5. ##STR12##

Lawesson reagent is2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dithia-2,4-diphosphetane-2,4-disulfide. Itsuse in the thiation of carboxamides and lactams is well known, as is theuse of phosphorus pentasulfite for similar reactions. The reactions arecustomarily carried out in methylene chloride, benzene, acetonitrile, orpiperidine depending on the solvent power and reaction temperaturerequired for the particular oxindole involved. Usually the P₄ S₁₀ worksbetter if it is first purified by extraction into methylene chloride bySoxhlet extraction. Ordinarily thiation reactions can be carried out atmild temperatures (25°-80° C.) and the products can be isolated bychromatography or crystallization.

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds D--CH₂ -- ○H used asintermediates in Schemes 1 and 2 are available by methods described instandard works on heterocyclic chemistry such as Katritzsky and Rees,Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry, Vols. 2-5, Pergamon Press, N. Y.,1984. In some instances the preparation of the corresponding hydroxycompounds (D=OH) is described in the literature; these can be convertedto the corresponding halo compounds (e.g. D=Br) for the alkylationreaction indicated in Schemes 1 and 2 by mild reagent (such as Ph₃P,CBr₄). Alternatively the hydroxy compounds can be converted to thecorresponding sulfonate esters (e.g. D=CH₃ SO₂ O) by reaction with thecorresponding sulfonylchloride in the presence of pyridine ortriethylamine at cold temperatures. Generally, temperatures of about 0°C. to -20° C. are preferred for formation of these sulfonates.

The compounds useful in the present invention can be used as their freebase or their pharmaceutically suitable salts. Salt formation is wellknown to those skilled in the art.

The invention can be further understood by the following examples inwhich parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated;all temperatures are in degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE 1 3,3-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one

To a solution of 0.1 mole of N-phenylindolin-2-one in 200 ml of benzeneunder N₂ was rapidly added 0.1 mole of thallium ethoxide. The solutionwas heated briefly to boiling. At about 50°, a heavy precipitate startedto form. After refluxing for 5 minutes, the mixture was cooled and200-300 ml of hexane was added to complete precipitation. The solid wasfiltered off and dried to yield 85% of the thallium salt ofN-phenylindolin-2-one as a yellow solid.

0.22 Mole of picolylchloride hydrochloride was carefully converted tothe free base by dissolving in 30 ml cold water, cooling to 0°-5° andbasifying with ammonium hydroxide. The free base was extracted out(3×100 ml benzene), dried with Na₂ SO₄ and filtered, while maintainingthe temperature no higher than 10°.

To this solution was added the thallium salt of theN-phenylindolin-2-one, followed by 200 ml benzene. This mixture wasrefluxed overnight and after cooling, the precipitated thallium chloridewas filtered off. The basic product was extracted out of the filtratewith 0.5N hydrochloric acid and was then reconverted to the base withammonium hydroxide and extracted into methylene chloride, dried withanhydrous potassium carbonate, filtered and evaporated. The remainingthick dark red oil was dissolved in 50 ml ether and trituration with aglass rod started crystallization, which was complete in a short while.The solid was filtered off, washed with ether and dried to yield 11.2 gof product; m.p. 107°-111°. The product was purified by flashchromatography using 40-60 micron silica gel 60 (E. Merck) on a column10" long×2" in diameter. Elution with 95:5 methylene chloride-methanol(detection with a 256 μm Gow-Mac detector) afforded 8.2 g of pure freebase in fractions 5 through 10 (100 ml each), R_(f) 0.33 (silica gel;95:5 methylene chloride/methanol); m.p. 129°-130°.

Anal. Calcd. for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₃ O: C, 79.77; H, 5.41; N, 10.73. Found C,80.05; H, 5.65; N, 10.67.

EXAMPLE 2 3,3-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one dihydrochloride

8.2 g of 3,3-Bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one was converted tothe dihydrochloride salt by dissolving it in 25 ml methylene chlorideand adding 25 ml of 25% hydrochloric acid in ethanol. The solution wasevaporated and the glassy residue was dissolved in 75 ml boilingacetone. Cooling to room temperature and trituration startedcrystallization. After sitting at room temperature for 6 hours, themixture was kept at 0° overnight. The product was then filtered, washedwith cold acetone and dried in a vacuum oven for 1 hour at 60° overGranusic to yield 8.55 g; m.p. 250°-251°. The product was recrystallizedfrom isopropanol affording 8.29 g; m.p. 250°-251°.

EXAMPLE 3 3,3-Bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one dihydrochloride

To 0.3 mole of N-phenylindolinone in 300 ml of benzene was added 0.36mole of sodamide in one batch. The mixture was refluxed for 3 hours(until ammonia evolution ceases), and the reaction was then cooled toroom temperature. 0.5 Mole of 3-picolylchloride was carefully preparedfrom the hydrochloride salt in the same manner previously described for2-picolylchloride and was then extracted into benzene, dried with sodiumsulfate and filtered. This benzene solution of 3-picolylchloride wasadded dropwise with vigorous mechanical stirring to theN-phenylindolinone anion solution under nitrogen over a period of 30minutes at 20°. After completion of addition, the reaction was refluxedfor an additional 3 hours.

The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and a second portionof 0.36 mole of sodamide was added in one batch. As above, the mixturewas refluxed until ammonia evolution from the reaction ceased (3 hours).

The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and an additional0.5 mole of 3-picolylchloride base in benzene was added dropwise withvigorous stirring to the indolinone anion solution over a period of 30minutes at 20°. After completion of addition of the 3-picolylchloride,the reaction mixture was refluxed 3 hours. The reaction mixture was thencooled in an ice bath and 1N HCl was added (300 ml) in conjunction withvigorous mechanical stirring. The HCl phase was separated and theorganic phase was extracted twice more with 100 ml of 1N HCl. Thecombined acid extracts were made basic, extracted with methylenechloride, washed with water, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered andevaporated. The dark oil was triturated with ether to yield a crop ofdense crystals, which were filtered, washed with ether until thewashings were colorless, to afford 3.1 g of solid; m.p. 136.5°-138°. Aportion (2.8 g) was dissolved in 10 ml of 25% hydrochloric acid inethanol. Scratching started crystallization (dense crystals). After onehour at 0°, the white crystals were filtered off and dried to yield 3.2g of the title compound; m.p. 156°. The product was dissolved in 115 mlboiling ethanol, to which 10 ml of boiling acetone was carefully added.The solution was allowed to cool undisturbed for 8 hours, then overnightat 0°. The pure white crystals were filtered, washed with cold 1:1ethanol-acetone and dried under infrared lamps, to afford 2.6 g of pureproduct; mp 156°-156.5°.

EXAMPLE 4 3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one dihydrochloride

N-phenylindolinone (0.05 mole) was dissolved in the minimum amount ofdry tetrahydrofuran in a multineck flask under N₂. Lithiumdiisopropylamide (0.05 mole) was weighed out in a dry box into adropping funnel and then dry tetrahydrofuran was added to the lithiumdiisopropylamide to dissolve it. The dropping funnel containing thelithium diisopropylamide-tetrahydrofuran solution was sealed and removedfrom the dry box. The indolinone solution was cooled to -30° and thelithium diisopropylamide solution was added to it dropwise at -30° overa period of 15 minutes. After the addition, the reaction was allowed towarm to room temperature. The reaction mixture was again cooled to -30°and 4-picolylchloride (0.06 mole), which had been converted to the freebase as previously described and then dissolved in 25 mltetrahydrofuran, was added dropwise during 30 minutes at -30°.

After completion of addition, the reaction was allowed to warm to roomtemperature for 30 minutes. It was then cooled to -30° and the secondportion of lithium diisopropylamide (0.05 mole) in tetrahydrofuran wasadded dropwise over a period of 15 minutes at -30°. After completion ofaddition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperatureas a second batch of 4-picolylchloride hydrochloride (0.06 mole) wasconverted to the free base.

The room temperature anion reaction mixture was again cooled to -30° andthe second portion of 4-picolylchloride in 25 ml tetrahydrofuran wasadded dropwise over a period of 30 minutes at -30°. The reaction mixturewas brought to room temperature and maintained at room temperature for1-17 hours depending on convenience. Any remaining anion was destroyedby carefully adding 50 ml saturated ammonium chloride solution. Thetetrahydrofuran was then evaporated and the residue was dissolved inmethylene chloride and extracted out of the methylene chloride with3×100 ml portions of 0.5N hydrochloric acid. The combined HCl portionswere made basic (pH=12) and product extracted with (3×100 ml) methylenechloride. The methylene chloride was dried with sodium sulfate, filteredand evaporated to yield 20 g of product. Purification by chromatographyin 10 g batches (40-63 μm silica gel on a column 8" long×2" diameter;eluting with: EtOAc 69.46%, Hexane 29.75%, and Et₃ N 0.79%) gave 19.2 gof the base (93%); m.p. 186.0°-186.5°.

3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one (19 g) was converted tothe dihydrochloride by treatment with 40 ml 25% hydrochloric acid inethanol. To the mixture was added 50 ml isopropanol and the solution washeated to boiling. Boiling acetone was added until thick needles juststarted to form (total volume of solvents: 200-250 ml). The solution wasallowed to cool to room temperature, then allowed to stand overnight at0°. The solid was filtered and washed with cold isopropanol to yield19.5 g (84%) of the title compound; m.p. 257°-8°. (Note: degree ofdrying has an effect on m.p. of the dihydrochloride; very slowlyincreasing the temperature of the melting point apparatus gives amelting point of 275°-276°). A second crop was obtained by evaporatingthe filtrate, dissolving the residue in isopropanol and addingapproximately an equal volume of acetone; the mixture was allowed to sitovernight at room temperature, and then 6 hours at 0° C. to yield anadditional 2.8 g, m.p. 252°-253°. Recrystallization yielded 2.4 g, ofthe second crop: m.p. 257°-258° C. The total dihydrochloride yield was21.9 g (94%).

EXAMPLE 5 3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-methylindolin-2-one dihydrochloride

To a solution of 0.05 mole of 1-methylindolin-2-one in 50 ml oftetrahydrofuran cooled to -30° was added 0.1 mole of lithiumdiisopropylamide in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran in a dropwise fashion over30 minutes. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperatureafter completion of addition, and was then cooled back down to -30°.Following the careful conditions described previously for the conversionof picolylchloride hydrochloride to picolylchloride base, 0.21 mole of4-picolylchloride hydrochloride was converted to the anhydrous free baseand was then dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml). This solution wasadded dropwise during 60 minutes at -30° to the reaction mixture.

After completion of addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warmto room temperature for one hour, then was cooled and carefullydecomposed by the dropwise addition of saturated ammonium chloride.

When the addition was complete, the tetrahydrofuran was evaporated andthe residue was partitioned between benzene and 0.5N HCl. This residuewas transferred to a separatory funnel and the organic phase wasextracted twice more with 0.5N HCl. The combined acid extracts werebasified, extracted with benzene, dried with Na₂ SO₄, filtered andevaporated. The residue was triturated with ether, filtered and washedwith a small amount of ether to yield 2.9 g; m.p. 149.9°-150.9°. Thisproduct was converted to the dihydrochloride salt with 25% hydrochloricacid and ethanol and crystallized from ethanol-acetone to yield 1.9 g ofthe title compound, m.p. 274.5°.

EXAMPLE 6 3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)indolin-2-onedihydrochloride

Using the procedure of Example 3, the title compound was prepared fromN-(3-chlorophenyl)indolin-2-one in a yield of 24%, m.p. 275°-276° C.

EXAMPLES 7 AND 8 3,3-Bis(4-pyridylmethyl-1-oxido)-1-phenylindolin-2-oneand 3-(4-pyridylmethyl)-3-(4-pyridylmethyloxido)-1-phenylindolin-2-one

A solution of 4.14 g (0.024 mole) of 80-85% m-chloroperbenzoic acid in50 ml methylene chloride was added dropwise with magnetic stirring to3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one in 100 ml methylenechloride, and solution was stirred overnight. Checking for peroxide withmoist starch iodide paper was negative, so the methylene chloridesolution was washed with 3×75 ml 5% sodium bicarbonate, dried withsodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated.

The residue was triturated with 5:1 ether/ethyl acetate to yield 2.14 gof a solid containing the bis-N-oxide, the mono-N-oxide, and a smallamount of starting material. The reaction mixture was purified by flashchromatography (silica gel, 40-63 μm, eluting with 90:10chloroform/methanol) affording 1.18 g, of the major product, R_(f)=0.34; m.p. 265.3°-265.7° (after recrystallization from 10 ml water).The high resolution mass spectrum confirmed the major product as the bisN-oxide; m/e 423.1595 (M+, calcd. for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₃ O₃ 423.1582).

A second fraction (200 mg) obtained from the flash chromatography wasidentified as the mono-N-oxide;3-(4-pyridylmethyl)-3-(4-pyridylmethyloxido)-1-phenylindolin-2-one,R_(f) =0.41; m.p. 217.7°-218.5°.

Mass spectrum m/e 407.1631 (M+, calcd. for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₃ O₂ 407.1634).

The compounds of Examples 1-8, and other compounds which can be preparedby such procedures and procedures described in the synthesis disclosureare illustrated by the structures represented in Table 1. This Table isintended to illustrate the invention, but not to limit its breadth.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR13##                                                                    Ex.                                                       m.p.                No. X   Y     R        V    W     p   ○H                                                                                ○H'                                                                             Z°C.         __________________________________________________________________________     1 H    H                                                                                    ##STR14##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR15##                                                                                ##STR16## O 129- 130           2 H    H                                                                                    ##STR17##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR18##                                                                                ##STR19## O 250- 251 (2                                                                 HCl)                 3 H    H                                                                                    ##STR20##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR21##                                                                                ##STR22## O 156- 156.5 (2                                                               Cl) 136.5- 138                                                                (free base)          4 H    H                                                                                    ##STR23##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR24##                                                                                ##STR25## O 257- 258 (2                                                                 HCl) 186- 186.5                                                               free base)           5 H    H     CH.sub.3 --   --    0                                                                                ##STR26##                                                                                ##STR27## O 274- 275 (2                                                                 HCl) 149.5-                                                                   150.9 (free                                                                   base)                6 H    H                                                                                    ##STR28##                                                                             3-Cl H     0                                                                                ##STR29##                                                                                ##STR30## O 275- 276 (2                                                                 HCl)                 7 H    H                                                                                    ##STR31##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR32##                                                                                ##STR33## O 265.3- 265.7       8 H    H                                                                                    ##STR34##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR35##                                                                                ##STR36## O 217.7- 218.5       9 H    H                                                                                    ##STR37##                                                                             --   --    1                                                                                ##STR38##                                                                                ##STR39## O 173- 174  (3                                                                HCl)                10 H    H                                                                                    ##STR40##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR41##                                                                                ##STR42## O 196.1- 196.7      11 H    H                                                                                    ##STR43##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR44##                                                                                ##STR45## O 201.7- 202.0      12 H    H                                                                                    ##STR46##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR47##                                                                                ##STR48## O Amor- phous       13 H    H                                                                                    ##STR49##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR50##                                                                                ##STR51## O Amor- phous       14 H    H                                                                                    ##STR52##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR53##                                                                                ##STR54## S                   15 H    H                                                                                    ##STR55##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR56##                                                                                ##STR57## O 230.8- 231.4      16 H    H     CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                             --   --    0                                                                                ##STR58##                                                                                ##STR59## O 227- 228 (2                                                                 HCl)                17 H    H                                                                                    ##STR60##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR61##                                                                                ##STR62## O                   18 H    H                                                                                    ##STR63##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR64##                                                                                ##STR65## O                   19 6-CH.sub.3                                                                         H                                                                                    ##STR66##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR67##                                                                                ##STR68## O 217- 219          20 6-OCH.sub.3                                                                        H                                                                                    ##STR69##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR70##                                                                                ##STR71## O                   21 5-Cl H                                                                                    ##STR72##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR73##                                                                                ##STR74## O                   22 H    H     S        --   --    0                                                                                ##STR75##                                                                                ##STR76## O                   23 H    H                                                                                    ##STR77##                                                                             H    H     1                                                                                ##STR78##                                                                                ##STR79## O                   24 H    H     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                        --   --    0                                                                                ##STR80##                                                                                ##STR81## O                   25 H    7-NHC.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                  ##STR82##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR83##                                                                                ##STR84## O                   26 H    H                                                                                    ##STR85##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR86##                                                                                ##STR87## S                   27 H    H                                                                                    ##STR88##                                                                             4-OCH.sub.3                                                                        3-OCH.sub.3                                                                         0                                                                                ##STR89##                                                                                ##STR90## O                   28 5-OCH.sub.3                                                                        6-OCH.sub.3                                                                          ##STR91##                                                                             H    H     0                                                                                ##STR92##                                                                                ##STR93## O                   29 H    H                                                                                    ##STR94##                                                                             3-Cl 4-Cl  1                                                                                ##STR95##                                                                                ##STR96## O                   30 H    H                                                                                    ##STR97##                                                                             --   --    1                                                                                ##STR98##                                                                                ##STR99## O                   31 H    H                                                                                    ##STR100##                                                                            2-NO.sub.2                                                                         H     0                                                                                ##STR101##                                                                               ##STR102##                                                                              O                   32 H    H      -n-C.sub.10 H.sub.21                                                                  --   --    1                                                                                ##STR103##                                                                               ##STR104##                                                                              O                   33 5-CH.sub.3                                                                         4-CH.sub.3                                                                           ##STR105##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR106##                                                                               ##STR107##                                                                              S                   34 4-NO.sub.2                                                                         H                                                                                    ##STR108##                                                                            --   --    1                                                                                ##STR109##                                                                               ##STR110##                                                                              O                   35 4-N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                H                                                                                    ##STR111##                                                                            H    4-CF.sub.3                                                                          0                                                                                ##STR112##                                                                               ##STR113##                                                                              O                   36 H    H                                                                                    ##STR114##                                                                            H    4-CN  0                                                                                ##STR115##                                                                               ##STR116##                                                                              O                   37 H    H                                                                                    ##STR117##                                                                            H    4-CF.sub.3                                                                          1                                                                                ##STR118##                                                                               ##STR119##                                                                              O                   38 H    H                                                                                    ##STR120##                                                                            H    3-N(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2                                                          0                                                                                ##STR121##                                                                               ##STR122##                                                                              O                   39 H    H                                                                                    ##STR123##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR124##                                                                               ##STR125##                                                                              S                   40 H    H                                                                                    ##STR126##                                                                            3-Cl 4-Cl  0                                                                                ##STR127##                                                                               ##STR128##                                                                              O                   41 H    4-CF.sub.3                                                                           ##STR129##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR130##                                                                               ##STR131##                                                                              O                    ##STR132##                                                                           H                                                                                    ##STR133##                                                                            --   --    1                                                                                ##STR134##                                                                               ##STR135##                                                                              O                   43 H    H                                                                                    ##STR136##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR137##                                                                               ##STR138##                                                                              O 167.5- 169        44 H    H                                                                                    ##STR139##                                                                            3-NO.sub.2                                                                         H     0                                                                                ##STR140##                                                                               ##STR141##                                                                              S                   45 H    H                                                                                    ##STR142##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR143##                                                                               ##STR144##                                                                              O 123- 124          46 H    H                                                                                    ##STR145##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR146##                                                                               ##STR147##                                                                              O 152               47 H    H                                                                                    ##STR148##                                                                            4-CN H     0                                                                                ##STR149##                                                                               ##STR150##                                                                              O                   48 5-OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                 H                                                                                    ##STR151##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR152##                                                                               ##STR153##                                                                              O                   49 H    H                                                                                    ##STR154##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR155##                                                                               ##STR156##                                                                              O 233- 235          50 H    H                                                                                    ##STR157##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR158##                                                                               ##STR159##                                                                              O                   51 H    H                                                                                    ##STR160##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR161##                                                                               ##STR162##                                                                              O                   52 H    H                                                                                    ##STR163##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR164##                                                                               ##STR165##                                                                              O                   53 H    H                                                                                    ##STR166##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR167##                                                                               ##STR168##                                                                              O                   54 H    H                                                                                    ##STR169##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR170##                                                                               ##STR171##                                                                              O 131- 133          55 H    H                                                                                    ##STR172##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR173##                                                                               ##STR174##                                                                              O                   56 H    H                                                                                    ##STR175##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR176##                                                                               ##STR177##                                                                              O                   57 H    H                                                                                    ##STR178##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR179##                                                                               ##STR180##                                                                              O                   58 H    H                                                                                    ##STR181##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR182##                                                                               ##STR183##                                                                              O                   59 H    H                                                                                    ##STR184##                                                                            H    H     0                                                                                ##STR185##                                                                               ##STR186##                                                                              O                   60 H    H                                                                                    ##STR187##                                                                            --   --    1                                                                                ##STR188##                                                                               ##STR189##                                                                              O                   __________________________________________________________________________

Biochemical Test Procedure

The effect of compounds on the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from ratcerebral cortex slices was tested essentially using a slice superfusionprocedure described by Mulder et al, Brain Res., 70, 372, (1974), asmodified according to Nickolson et al, Naunyn Schmied. Arch. Pharmacol.,319, 48 (1982).

Male Wistar rats (Charles River) weighing 175-200 grams were used. Theywere housed for at least seven days before the experimentation in theanimal facility under a 12-12 hour light/dark cycle (light on 6.00 h,light off 18.00 h). They had ad lib access to standard rat chow (Purina)and deionized water.

Rats were decapitated and brains were dissected immediately. Slices (0.3mm thick) from the parietal cortex were prepared manually using arecessed Lucite® guide and subsequently cut into 0.25×0.25 mm squares.

Slices (approximately 100 mg wet weight) were incubated in 10 mlKrebs-Ringer (KR) medium containing (mM): NaCl (116), KCl (3), CaCl₂(1.3), MgCl₂ (1.2), KH₂ PO₄ (1.2), Na₂ SO₄ (1.2), NaHCO₃ (25), glucose(11), to which 10 μCi ³ H-Choline (spec. act. approx. 35 Ci/mmol; NEN)and 10 nmoles unlabelled choline had been added to give a finalconcentration of 10⁻⁶ M. Incubation was carried out for 30 minutes at37° C. under a steady flow of 95% O₂ /5% CO₂. Under these conditions,part of the radioactive choline taken up is converted into radioactiveACh by cholinergic nerve endings, stored in synaptic vesicles andreleased upon depolarization by high-K⁺ -containing media.

After labelling of the ACh stores, the slices were washed 3 times withnon-radioactive KR-medium and transferred to a superfusion apparatus tomeasure the drug effects on ACh release. The superfusion apparatusconsisted of 10 thermostated glass columns of 5 mm diameter which wereprovided with GF/F glass fiber filters to support the slices(approximately 10 mg tissue/column). Superfusion was carried out withKR-medium (0.3 ml/min) containing 10⁻⁵ M hemicholinium-3 (HC-3). HC-3prevents the uptake of choline, formed during the superfusion fromphospholipids and released ACh, which would be converted into unlabelledACh, and released in preference to the pre-formed, labelled ACh. Themedium was delivered by a 25-channel peristaltic pump (Ismatec;Brinkman) and was warmed to 37° C. in a thermostated stainless steelcoil before entering the superfusion column. Each column was providedwith a 4-way slider valve (Beckman Instruments) which allowed rapidchange of low- to high-K⁺ -KR-medium and with two 10-channel, 3-wayvalves which were used to change from drug-free to drug-containing low-and high-K⁺ -KR-medium.

After 15 minutes washout of non-specifically bound radioactivity, thecollection of 4 minute fractions were started. After 3 four-min.collections, the KR medium was changed for KR medium of which the KClconcentration had been increased to 25 mM (high-K⁺ -KR-medium) (S1).Depolarization-induced stimulation of release by high-K⁺ -KR-mediumlasted for 4 minutes. Drug free low- and high-K⁺ -KR-medium were thensubstituted by drug- or vehicle-containing low- and high-K⁺ -KR-mediumand superfusion was continued for 3 four-min. collections with low-K⁺-KR-medium, 1 four-min. collection with high-K⁺ -KR-medium (S2) and 2four-min. collections with low-K⁺ -KR-medium.

Drug was added to the media by 100-fold dilution of appropriateconcentrations of the drug (in 0.9% NaCl/H₂ O) with either low- orhigh-K⁺ -KR-medium.

All superfusion fractions were collected in liquid scintillationcounting vials. After superfusion the slices were removed from thesuperfusion columns and extracted in 1.0 ml of 0.1N HCl. To superfusionfractions and extracts 12 ml Liquiscint counting fluid (NEN) was thenadded and samples were counted in a Packard Tricarb Liquid ScintillationCounter. No corrections were made for quenching.

The ratio of S2/S1 (as compared to controls where no drug is presentduring S2) is a measure of the ability of the drug to enhance or depressstimulus-induced acetylcholine release. The in vitro ACh release data issummarized in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        % INCREASE OF STIMULUS-INDUCED ACh RELEASE                                    IN RAT CEREBRAL CORTEX IN VITRO                                               Example  10.sup.-6    10.sup.-5                                                                              10.sup.-4 (M)                                  ______________________________________                                        1        --           --       +349*                                          2        +11          +61*     +265*                                          3        +06          +88*     +238*                                          4         +94*        +457*    +433*                                          5        +14          +78*     +355*                                          6        +195*        +313*    --                                             7        --            0        +30*                                          8        --           +37*     +429*                                          9          0          +54*     +275*                                          12       --           +11       +48*                                          13         0          +13      +100*                                          16       +01          +47*     --                                             19        +34*        +323*    --                                             43        +34*        +210*    --                                             45       --           +12       +97*                                          46       +20          +218*    --                                             49        +16*        +49*     --                                             ______________________________________                                         *Significantly different from control P <  0.05, student's ttest.        

Using similar test procedures, the compounds of Examples 2 and 4 werealso found to enhance the release of acetylcholine from hippocampalslices and that of acetylcholine and dopamine from caudate nucleusslices in vitro. The compound of Example 4, in addition, was found toalso enhance the release of serotonin from cortical slices.

Behavioral Test Procedure

The effect of compounds on rat active avoidance (pole-climb) performancewas studied as follows: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (Charles River),weighing 150-200 grams, received two blocks of learning trials daily (1AM, 1 PM), for four days. A trial consisted of placing a rate in a cage(Coulbourn Model E10-10, equipped with a removal shock gridfloor),facing a pole (wood, with parallel diagonal notches, mounted from theceiling). The trial was started by closing the cage door and switchingon the cage light. After 10 seconds, shock was applied through thegridfloor for 10 seconds by a Coulbourn Model E13-08 shocker. Footshockintensity ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 mA. At the end of the trial, the lightand shock were turned off and the rat was removed from the cage. If therat jumped on the pole prior to the onset of shock, it was considered tohave avoided; if it jumped after the shock, it was considered to haveescaped. Groups of 6 to 9 rats were subcutaneously treated with variousdoses of a compound or the corresponding vehicle 30 minutes prior to thefirst training trial of each block.

Active avoidance performance data were analyzed by regression analysis(see Snedecor and Cochran, Statistical Methods, 6th Edition, page 432)of the cumulative number of avoidances versus blocks of trials curve.The mean slope and SEM (Standard Error of the Mean) of this curve werecalculated for each treatment group and taken as a measure of activeavoidance performance. Drug effects were expressed as percent change inslope compared to the slope of the control curve. The results aresummarized in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        % ENHANCEMENT OF ACTIVE AVOIDANCE                                             PERFORMANCE IN RATS                                                           Drug Dose (mg/kg s.c.)                                                        Example                                                                              0.1     0.3     1     3     5    10    20                              ______________________________________                                        2      --      --      --    --    54*  53*   21                              4      +59*    +91*    +84*  +57   --   --    --                              ______________________________________                                         *Significantly different from control, P < 0.05, student's ttest.        

Utility

The foregoing test results suggest that compounds of this invention haveutility in the treatment of cognitive deficiencies and/or neurologicalfunction deficits and/or mood and mental disturbances, in patientssuffering from nervous system disorders like Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, senile-dementia, multi-infarct dementia,Huntington's disease, mental retardation, Myasthenia Gravis etc.Compounds of this invention can be administered to treat saiddeficiencies by any means that produces contact of the active agent withthe agent's site of action in the body of a mammal. The compounds can beadministered by any conventional means available for use in conjunctionwith pharmaceuticals, either as individual therapeutic agents or in acombination of therapeutic agents. They can be administered alone, butare generally administered with a pharmaceutical carrier selected on thebasis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceuticalpractice.

The dosage administered will, of course, vary depending on the use andknown factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of theparticular agent, and its mode and route of administration; age, health,and weight of the recipient; nature and extent of symptoms, kind ofconcurrent treatment, frequency of treatment, and the effect desired.For use in the treatment of said diseases, a daily oral dosage of activeingredient can be about 0.001 to 100 mg/kg of body weight. Ordinarily adose of 0.01 to 10 mg/kg per day in divided doses one to four times aday or in sustained release form is effective to obtain the desiredresults.

Dosage forms (compositions) suitable for administration contain fromabout 1 milligram to about 100 milligrams of active ingredient per unit.In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient willordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.5-95% by weight based onthe total weight of the composition.

The active ingredient can be administered orally in solid dosage forms,such as capsules, tablets, and powders, or in liquid dosage forms, suchas elixirs, syrups, and suspensions. It can also be administeredparenterally, in sterile liquid dosage forms.

Gelatin capsules contain the active ingredient and powdered carriers,such as lactose, starch, cellulose derivatives, magnesium stearate,stearic acid, and the like. Similar diluents can be used to makecompressed tablets. Both tablets and capsules can be manufactured assustained release products to provide for continuous release ofmedication over a period of hours. Compressed tablets can be sugarcoated or film coated to mask any unpleasant taste and protect thetablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selectivedisintegration in the gastrointestinal tract.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can contain coloring andflavoring to increase patient acceptance.

In general, water, a suitable oil, saline, aqueous dextrose (glucose),and related sugar solutions and glycols such as propylene glycol orpolyethylene glycols are suitable carriers for parenteral solutions.Solutions for parenteral administration preferably contain a watersoluble salt of the active ingredient, suitable stabilizing agents, andif necessary, buffer substances. Antioxidizing agents such as sodiumbisulfite, sodium sulfite, or ascorbic acid, either alone or combined,are suitable stabilizing agents. Also used are citric acid and its saltsand sodium EDTA. In addition, parenteral solutions can containpreservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride, methyl- or propyl-paraben,and chlorobutanol.

Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in Remington'sPharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, a standard reference text in thisfield.

Useful pharmaceutical dosage-forms for administration of the compoundsof this invention can be illustrated as follows:

Capsules

A large number of unit capsules are prepared by filling standardtwo-piece hard gelatin capsules each with 100 milligrams of powderedactive ingredient, 150 milligrams of lactose, 50 milligrams ofcellulose, and 6 milligrams magnesium stearate.

Soft Gelatin Capsules

A mixture of active ingredient in a digestible oil such as soybean oil,cottonseed oil or olive oil is prepared and injected by means of apositive displacement pump into gelatin to form soft gelatin capsulescontaining 100 milligrams of the active ingredient. The capsules arewashed and dried.

Tablets

A large number of tablets are prepared by conventional procedures sothat the dosage unit is 100 milligrams of active ingredient, 0.2milligrams of colloidal silicon dioxide, 5 milligrams of magnesiumstearate, 275 milligrams of microcrystalline cellulose, 11 milligrams ofstarch and 98.8 milligrams of lactose. Appropriate coatings may beapplied to increase palatability or delay absorption.

Injectable

A parenteral composition suitable for administration by injection isprepared by stirring 1.5% by weight of active ingredient in 10% byvolume propylene glycol. The solution is made to volume with water forinjection and sterilized.

Suspension

An aqueous suspension is prepared for oral administration so that each 5milliliters contain 100 milligrams of finely divided active ingredient,100 milligrams of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 5 milligrams of sodiumbenzoate, 1.0 grams of sorbitol solution, U.S.P., and 0.025 millilitersof vanillin.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising asuitable pharmaceutical carrier and an amount effective to treatcognitive or neurological dysfunction of a compound having the formula:##STR190## wherein: p is 0 or 1;Z is O or S; R is C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, C₃ -C₈cycloalkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, or ##STR191## V, W, X, andY independently are H, halo, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, OR¹, NO₂, CF₃, CN or NR¹ R² ;R¹ and R² independently are H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl; -- ○H and -- ○H'independently are 6-membered heterocyclic aromatic rings containing onenitrogen atom as a part of the ring optionally substituted with onesubstituent selected from the group C₁ -C₃ alkyl, halo, OR¹ or NR¹ R² ;oran N-oxide or pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof. 2.A composition of claim 1 wherein p is
 0. 3. A composition of claim 1wherein Z is O.
 4. A composition of claim 1 wherein each of X and Y isH.
 5. A composition of claim 1 wherein R is CH₃, phenyl, orm-chlorophenyl.
 6. A composition of claim 1 wherein each of -- ○H and --○H' is pyridyl attached by a ring carbon atom.
 7. A composition of claim1 wherein:p is 0; Z is O; each of X and Y is H; R is CH₃, m-chlorophenylor phenyl; and each of -- ○H and -- ○H' is pyridyl attached by a ringcarbon.
 8. A composition of claim 1 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 9. A composition of claim 1 whereinthe compound is 3,3-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 10. A compositionof claim 1 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 11. A composition of claim 1wherein the compound is 3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-methylindoline-2-oneor a pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 12. Acomposition of claim 1 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-indolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 13. A method forthe treatment of cognitive or neurological dysfunction in a mammalcomprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound of the formula: ##STR192## wherein: p is 0 or 1;Zis O or S; R is C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl,4-pyridyl, or ##STR193## V, W, X, and Y independently are H, halo, C₁-C₃ alkyl, OR¹, NO₂, CF₃, CN or NR¹ R² ; R¹ and R² independently are Hor C₁ -C₃ alkyl; -- ○H and -- ○H' independently are 6-memberedheterocyclic aromatic rings containing one nitrogen, atom as part of thering optionally substituted with one substituent selected from the groupC₁ -C₃ alkyl, halo, OR¹ or NR¹ R² ; oran N-oxide or pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 14. A method of claim 13 wherein pis
 0. 15. A method of claim 13 wherein Z is O.
 16. A method of claim 13wherein each of X and Y is H.
 17. A method of claim 13 wherein R is CH₃,phenyl, or m-chlorophenyl.
 18. A method of claim 13 wherein each of --○H and -- ○H' is pyridyl attached by a ring carbon atom.
 19. A method ofclaim 13 wherein:p is 0; Z is O; each of X and Y is H; R is CH₃, phenylor m-chlorophenyl; and each of -- ○H and -- ○H' is pyridyl attached by aring carbon.
 20. A method of claim 13 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 21. A method of claim 13 whereinthe compound is 3,3-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 22. A method ofclaim 13 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 23. A method of claim 13 whereinthe compound is 3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-methylindolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 24. A method ofclaim 13 wherein the compound is3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)indolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.
 25. A compoundhaving the formula: ##STR194## wherein: p is 0 or 1;Z is O or S; R is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, or##STR195## V, W, X, and Y independently are H, halo, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, OR¹,NO₂, CF₃, CN or NR¹ R² ; R¹ and R² independently are H or C₁ -C₃ alkyl;-- ○H and -- ○H' independently are 6-membered heterocyclic aromaticrings containing one nitrogen atom as a part of the ring optionallysubstituted with one substituent selected from the group C₁ -C₃ alkyl,halo, OR¹ or NR¹ R² ; oran N-oxide or pharmaceutically suitable acidaddition salt thereof.
 26. A compound of claim 25 wherein p is
 0. 27. Acompound of claim 25 wherein Z is O.
 28. A compound of claim 25 whereineach of X and Y is H.
 29. A compound of claim 25 wherein R is CH₃,phenyl or m-chlorophenyl.
 30. A compound of claim 25 wherein each of --○H and -- ○H' is pyridyl attached by a ring carbon atom.
 31. A compoundof claim 25 wherein:p is 0; Z is O; each of X and Y is H; R is CH₃,phenyl or m-chlorophenyl; and each of -- ○H and -- ○H' is pyridylattached by a ring carbon.
 32. The compound of claim 25 which is3,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 33. The compound of claim 25 whichis 3,3-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 34. The compound of claim 25 whichis 3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 35. The compound of claim 25 whichis 3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-methylindolin-2-one or a pharmaceuticallysuitable acid addition salt thereof.
 36. The compound of claim 25 whichis 3,3-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)indolin-2-one or apharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof.